Rare Bird - Epic Forest FLAC download

People really seem divided over Rare Bird. Do they prefer the duo keyboard/no guitar format version of the band from 1969-70 that produced two albums on Charisma, or do they prefer the soft rock duo guitar/one keyboard format of the 1972-1974 version of the band that produced three albums on Polydor? Whatever the case, by 1972 the band had a drastic change in lineup and sound with only Steve Gould and David Kaffinetti from the old lineup. Steve Gould switched from bass to guitar, while acquiring an additional guitarist in Ced Curtis. Graham Field formed a band called Fields and released an album on CBS in 1971. Mark Ashton seemed to hang around, playing on albums I'm not familiar with, and painting, apparently living in the States for a number of years before moving to France. It's obvious the one with an aversion of prog look more fondly of this phase of the band. I have seen numerous comparisons with Wishbone Ash and Crosby, Stills & Nash. And I can see that. Some of the vocals remind me of Graham Nash, and some of the musical approach reminds me of the more calm moments of Wishbone Ash's Argus, which came out around the same time. Steve Gould's voice really seems to be toned down greatly to the point that it took me a long time to realize he was still singing on the album. It didn't help that the American LP didn't give a track by track credit. A lot of the music has a more acoustic bent, especially "Turn It All Around", "Fears of the Night" and "Her Darkest Hour", but there are some more rocking pieces like "Turning the Lights Out" and "Title No. 1 Again (Birdman)". The title track is the most proggy thing here, but still nowhere as prog as the stuff on their previous two albums. It's the only song on the album Steve Gould belts it out and sounding as every bit as recognizable as the first two albums. The music gets rather adventurous, but it sounded like the second part may have been another song segued in because it settled down in soft rock territory. I am happy to acquire the UK LP pressing as the original came with a 7" EP that plays at 33, so don't play this at 45 (unless you want to hear Alvin, Simon & Theodore aka The Chipmunks do their take on Rare Bird). I have the feeling the band recorded enough material to warrant an EP, but not enough for a full-on double album. Three songs ("Roadside Welcome", "Four Grey Walls", "You're Lost") that I was sorely missing owning the American LP and they demonstrate those songs were just as good as the main LP. Also I love how the UK LP gives a track by track credit listing so you know the instruments being played, and by who, and who were handling the vocals (it's clear that Steve Gould didn't sing everything, some of the vocals sound like Graham Nash). This album may not appeal to fans of their first two albums, but for those who don't mind a West Coast style of rock (which is done rather well, by the way), this is worth having.